Original scientific paper

Monitoring saliva cortisol level in dairy goats during April, May and July in a semi-intensive rearing system

Gordana Gregurić Gračner ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,
Željko Pavičić ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,
Slavko Žužul ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,
Alenka Dovč ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Nataša Lončarić ; Ministry of Agriculture, Sector for Veterinary Inspection, Zagreb, Croatia
Juraj Grizelj ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,
Marija Lipar ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,
Damjan Gračner ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia,

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the level of saliva cortisol and heart rate in lactating goats depending on different environmental condition, from early spring to the summer heat in the mountainous region of Croatia with a moderate climate zone (average winter air temperature from -2°C to -4°C and summer below 20°C). Ten lactating goats (6 Saanen and 4 Alpine) kept confined, occasionally tethered, were included in the study. The barn was wooden, thermally insulated, divided into five equal pens divided by wooden partitions. Each pen housed two goats on deep hay bedding and ensuring sufficient space allowance per animal. Saliva sampling was carried out in early April when goats were kept exclusively in the barn and occasionally tethered, at the end of May when they spent part of the day grazing freely, and the end of July when they spent only the night in barn. Saliva samples of saliva were taken at 11 a.m. using special equipment and frozen until analysis, and heart rate was determined by palpation of a. femoralis. Samples were analysed by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Following statistical analysis of the results, no statistically significant differences in cortisol levels and heart rate were observed during the sampling period. Since the hypothalamus- pituitary-adrenal gland is extremely susceptible to environmental changes, cortisol level is considered to be a credible indicator of the ability of animals to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Based on the obtained results, it is possible to conclude that the investigated goats were kept in conditions and in a way that was not stressful to them and are almost ideal for achieving their optimal production performance, and goats adapted very well to the environmental changes during different seasons.

Keywords

goats; saliva; cortisol; goat keeping

Hrčak ID:

223041

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/223041

Publication date:

1.6.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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